Narratives of self and group rehabilitation after brain injury V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Patient narratives of self and transformation following group rehabilitation post acquired brain injury (ABI)
IRAS ID
186582
Contact name
Rohan Cook
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 30 days
Research summary
There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that self-identity plays a significant role in determining outcomes of Neuropsychological Rehabilitation post brain injury, however, current treatment interventions have tended to focus predominantly on compensation for impairments of functioning. Recently there has been a shift in outcome focus from cognitive measures to ones of personal relevance to the patient such as individual goals, employment and well being. This shift reflects a changing theoretical landscape which now seeks to understand brain injury in context using a more holistic framework, highlighting the importance of environmental and psychological factors alongside physical ones. This study proposes to explore participant’s narratives of personal change and recovery following brain injury and throughout rehabilitation. In particular we hope to develop current understanding of the importance of identity in shaping the course of rehabilitation by asking participants to tell their own rehabilitation story and reflecting on the challenges and opportunities which they have encountered.
The study will use the qualitative methodology to investigate the stories of 8-12 NHS Grampian patients who have attended the Brain Injury Recovery Group which is run by the Department of Clinical Neuropsychology. Participant recovery and rehabilitation experiences will not limited to this group, however, recruitment from this sample will ensure that participants share a recent relevant treatment experience and have been assessed as suitable for a similar stage of rehabilitation intervention. In addition, participants will be at least one year post brain injury, will have capacity to consent to participation and will be aged over 18. Participants will be required to attend a single interview which may be broken down into numerous sessions at the participant’s request. For validation they will also be asked to comment on the final narrative drawn from their account following research analysis.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
15/NS/0094
Date of REC Opinion
15 Sep 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion